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England: Royal Residences & Retreats

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  • OVERVIEW
  • ITINERARY
  • HIGHLIGHTS


itinerary Map

England: Royal Residences & Retreats

10 Days

Embark on a trip fit for a king as you explore the most opulent and impressive pieces of Royal Britain. From one of the oldest working palaces in the world, to the homes of monarchs from centuries gone by, discover the history of the British royal family as well as how they live now.

On your tailor-made programme enjoy royal retail therapy by entering those few, exclusive shops lucky enough to be granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment and dine in one of the only restaurants in the UK with three Michelin stars. Stay in quintessentially English accommodation much loved by royalty.

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ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS



Your royal themed Dream Escape programme could include the following experiences:

  • A private boat ride down the River Thames as you sip on champagne and sail by London’s most famous landmarks in style.

 

  • Step through the nineteen State Rooms at the heart of Buckingham Palace

 

  • A drive out to Windsor Castle, a favourite of British monarchs for centuries. Last year St George’s Chapel in the grounds of the castle played host to not one, but two royal weddings.

 

  • Gaze upon the glittering British Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, a uniquely alluring collection of working royal regalia regularly featured in state ceremonies.

 

  • Visit the 300-year old department store known as ‘the King’s grocer’, famous for its exquisite food and drink, as well as one of the city’s best afternoon teas.

 

  • Take a tour of the oldest jeweller in the world, dating back to 1735, who’s royal legacy lives on in its exceptional handcrafted jewels. On a private visit hear fascinating tales behind the iconic pieces, designs, stones and of course who has worn them.

 

  • Cruise into the heart of Royal Berkshire and dock at a 16th-century river-side village where lunch will be served at the only restaurant outside France to retain its three Michelin stars for more than 25 years.

 

  • Explore the arts and antiques of Eton High Street, also the location of the eponymous boarding school whose notable alumni include Prince William and Prince Harry.

 

  • Discover the history of Hampton Court, the former home of the flamboyant King Henry VIII and his six wives, on a private tour with an in-house expert.

 

  • Watch the spectacular tradition of the Changing of the Guard, a distinctive display of British pageantry.

 

  • Explore Royal St James with a Royal Warrant walk. Explore wines and whiskeys, to perfumes and chocolates, through to the most glamourous hats to the most luxurious Shirts, and shoes, colognes and coats, all of which are fit for a King and Queen.

 

  • Indulge in artisan delicacies at Britain’s leading cheesemonger, an official supplier of the Royal Household.

 

  • Visit Westminster Abbey, a towering Gothic cathedral instantly recognisable as the venue for the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

 

  • Escape to the countryside and discover the cherished Christmas retreat of the late Queen Elizabeth, a splendid private home that has been in the Royal family for four generations.

 

Your accommodation choice will be handpicked especially for you from the Dream Escape Accommodation Collection 

Check out our Accommodation Collection for more details.

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HIGHLIGHTS

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HIGHLIGHTS

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THINGS TO DO

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

No visit to London would be complete without a peek at some pomp and ceremony for which Britain is renowned. At 11.00AM, several times a week, watch the precision drill as the Queen’s Guard hand over responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace to the New Guard against a soundtrack of regimental band music.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Buckingham Palace serves as both the office and the London residence of HM, The Queen.  It is one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today.  During August and September, when it is not being used in its official capacity, visitors can enjoy the nineteen magnificent State Rooms.

MICHELIN DINING EXPERIENCE

Indulge in an intimate dining experience at a Chef’s Table at a Michelin starred restaurant. The chefs will offer you an exclusive insight into the methods and creative processes behind each dish.

THAMES CLIPPER LAUNCH

Board a splendid 33-foot Thames slipper launch. Built in the 1930’s she has been restored and is a delightfully extravagant way to cruise along the Thames. Leaving the Boathouse, cruise downstream, passing under the bridges of Maidenhead to the Fisheries Reach.

THE TOWER OF LONDON

This famed UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to the early 1080s and has borne witness to many defining events in British history.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY

The remarkable Gothic structure of Westminster Abbey is like a huge memorial to one of our most pious Anglo-Saxon Kings.

WINDSOR CASTLE

Windsor Castle is a glorious 13-acre complex of medieval, Restoration and Georgian buildings.

SANDRINGHAM HOUSE

Sandringham is the private home of four generations of British monarchs since 1862, and much-loved country retreat of HM, The Queen. The house is set in 60 acres of stunning gardens.

 

FROGMORE HOUSE

Frogmore House is a  favourite retreat of the Royal Family. Set in the private Home Park, it is renowned for its beautiful landscaped garden and 18th-century lake. It’s hardly surprising that Frogmore, a Georgian house set in 35 acres inside the Home Park of Windsor Castle, feels sealed off from the outside world.

 

PLACES VISITED

LONDON

London, with its unique blend of history and culture, is constantly changing, with new landmarks, stylish restaurants and clubs opening up all the time. Recently voted as the gourmet capital of the world, London is the European capital to stay in touch with all that’s new and exciting, while enjoying its wealth of historic buildings and eclectic mix of museums and art galleries. With its unique blend of history and culture, the bustling metropolis of London has long been considered a must-see destination. The city is constantly changing, offering a wealth of historic buildings and monuments, as well as an eclectic mix of museums, art galleries and world famous attractions.

BRAY-ON-THAMES

Upstream from London discover the 16th century river-side village of Bray-on-Thames. When it comes to gastronomic credentials, this small Berkshire village is unique, boasting two of Britain’s three-Michelin-star restaurants. It sits on a tranquil stretch of the Thames and oozes 16th -century charm

WINDSOR

Windsor lies in Royal Berkshire, whose Royal associations date back to the establishment of Windsor Castle by William the Conqueror in the 11th The oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, it saw King John ride out from its walls to sign Magna Carta at nearby Runnymede in 1215. In 1850 Queen Victoria designated it Royal Berkshire and it was at Windsor Castle in 1839 that the young queen proposed to her beloved Albert.

The town of Windsor is a haven for shopping. Encased within the Victorian railway station are a wealth of high-end outlets. It’s a pleasant stroll from here across the river to Eton High Street. Noted for its art and antique shops, this charming thoroughfare also leads to Eton College, the country’s most famous school.

SANDRINGHAM

Sandringham is the private home of four generations of British monarchs since 1862, and much-loved country retreat of HM, The Queen. The house is set in 60 acres of stunning gardens.

 

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    Clients of Jessica Thompson, Fairway Travel, Virtuoso

  • "....their time in the U.K. was PERFECT – loved everything you guys did for them, and sang praises for everyone! Thank you!! "

    Connie Hanes, Herff Travel

  • "Everyone, from the Tour Guides to our excellent driver, were amazing. All aspects of the trip were beyond expectations. Even changing our day schedule for outside reasons (like the airline sending my bag to a city 120miles away) they were always happy to help and move the schedule around so we could keep enjoying our trip. Everyone made us feel at home and like family."

    Client of Leah Molinari, Molinari Travel, Gifted Travel Network

  • "Dream Escape was the trip of a lifetime. Excellent choice of hotels, tour guide was awesome, the planned tours were wonderful and very informative."

    Client of Trisha Rathke, VIP Travel Designs, Gifted Travel Network

  • "Dreamscape designed an itinerary that combined an exploration of Scottish history and culture and a visit to some of the filming locations for the hit TV show Outlander. The tour guides provided were personable and knowledgeable and responsive to our interests. Our driver who was with us for the entire trip was professional and pleasant and again, flexible and sensitive to our interests. The hotels were magnificent and the pacing of the trip, spending at least two nights in each hotel was perfect. The itinerary was everything we wanted!"

    Client of Susan Morley, Journeys around the World, Cadence

  • "Sally Strange was wonderful so knowledgable, friendly and fun. 100% would use her services again. We feel like we have a friend for life! We LOVED our tours, where we ate lunch, and spending the days with Sally......Thanks (once again!) for looking after our clients so well. We so appreciate you. "

    Lauren Ainsley, Black Tomato

  • "Rosie...thank you for giving us such a world-class experience in Scotland. Everyone had such a wonderful time and your presence was a large part of that. Your warmth and generosity in taking care of us on our little excursion is so beyond appreciated and I can’t wait to work with you again soon."

    Alex Martinetti

  • "Thank you so very much for the amazing trip to Scotland that you planned for us!! It was truly a once in a lifetime fabulous family trip!! Not only were the accommodations perfect, the activities were above expectations, given the people involved with so much knowledge and compassion for what they do....Many, many heartfelt thanks for making this trip so very special for our family. "

    Clients of Kristen Meckem, Kristen Meckem Travel, An Affiliate of Brownell

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    Jennifer McCrea, Boutique Travel Advisors

  • "We cannot thank you enough for all you did for us during our stay in Scotland! We loved every minute of it....and we loved you teaching us the history of each town and visit. "

    The Pogue Family - Clients of Amy Spence, Strong Travel

  • "We are so grateful for professionalism, expertise, and purely fun personality to entertain and educate our clients in all things royal! I do believe it was a smashing success. 😊"

    Pat Bowden, Red Letter Travel, an independent affiliate of Brownell

  • "Michael does such an outstanding job with making sure every itinerary he works on with me is well thought out. He is attentive to detail and always allows for the clients interest to be reflected in their tours. He makes sure that the perfect tour operator and chauffeur is paired with each client. I wanted you to know what a pleasure it is working with Michael and knowing my clients will always be well cared for when traveling with Dream Escape! "

    Jennifer McCrea, Boutique Travel Advisors

  • "Without a doubt, what made all of it so special and unforgettable was having the true pleasure of having Sally Strange as our guide. She was truly incredible..so full of life, energy, amazing historical knowledge anywhere we visited was extraordinary. Her sense of humor and fun personality made her extra special. Sally was a winner in every way."

    Clients of Betsy Talbot, Travel by Talbot (Brownell)

  • "Your team excelled on all levels! The execution of the itinerary was flawless!!! Well done. The clients LOVED Sally and this was just the second note from them about how exceptional she was. "

    Cathy Major, Cerulean World Travel

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    Krista Boyles, Unique Romance Travel

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    Marieta Carrrero, Boost Journeys

  • "I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone at Dream Escape who helped in making the Gialamas' visit to London special. I know Dream Escape has many people behind the scenes that work on making an itinerary such as this flow seamlessly and I just wanted to say thank you for all of your hard work! "

    Jennifer McCrea, Boutique Travel Advisors

  • "Activities & Tours - All the events and guides were outstanding.- Guides - Simply the best. All of them. All outstanding! "

    Black Tomato Clients

  • "Thank you for everything you did to make the entire trip, special presentations and events so special. It has added a sparkle in my life!"

    Gretchen Ashworth Stewart, Client

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    Nancy Ebel, Virtuoso Travel Advisor

  • "Couldn’t have asked for a better 1st trip to London!......The sites we saw were the best & Sally, you went above & beyond to make it memorable"

    Shannon Marie Long - Reed and Mackay

  • "Delightful to spend time and see the incredible city of London with you all. Dream Escape for a flawless job in seeing the best bespoke sites, Sally you are amazing. Thank you again as this was amazing"

    Josh Whitaker - Owner, Rudi Steele Travel

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    Rob Arrow, Al Tayyar Group

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    William A Heim, Client

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    Jean Newman-Glock, Signature Travel Network

  • "You were the heart and soul of the trip….I truly admired your sunny personality, sense of humor, organization and professionalism.  You also demonstrated  that a guide’s work is never done as you were constantly researching….. Did you ever rest??? "

    Sharon Delano, Frosch

  • "We want to thank you and the team from Dream Escape.  All six of us in our group had a wonderful time, and we all agreed we owed that in large measure to the work of Dream Escape. From the onset of working with you, you demonstrated a tremendous knowledge about all the activities we wished to pursue —from playing golf to dining at excellent restaurants to seeing historical sites and the Tattoo and Fringe Festival.  And, then you executed "

    Thomas Cohen, Client

  • "THANK YOU a zillion times over for choosing/assigning Rosie to be with this family.  She MADE the trip for them – there’s no other way to put it! "

    Jill Jergel, Frontiers International Travel

  • "Our holiday in Scotland now tops their lists of best trips…… To their growing list of amazing and memorable first-time experiences, our sons may add fishing for trout and salmon on the River Tay; steering a motor boat on Loch Ness; and taking private guided tours on Culloden Moor Of the eight full days we were in Scotland, Alex and Mattie thought each and every day was the best"

    Michael Guadarrama & Trammi Nguyen, clients of Peter Carideo. CRC Travel

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    Max Levy, Direct client

  • "Thank you Karen and all of the staff and guides affiliated with Dream Escape…..the Flemings are having an awesome tour of Scotland. You all have made me look like a star! "

    Joni Gerace, The Travel Society, LLC

  • "Thanks for all your help and we can chalk this one up as a big success!   Our anniversary celebration was all we could have hoped for "

    Clients of Courtney Regan, Affiliate of Brownell Travel

  • "Rosie was MORE than outstanding – she went out of her way to help us in every regard...She was so knowledgeable – we all loved her"

    Jill A. Jergel, Frontiers International Travel

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    Cindy Evans, Travel Consultant

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    Carole McFarland, Universal Travel

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    Donald M. Davis, President, Luxury Travel, Inc.

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    Peter Carideo, CRC Travel

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    Ann Lipschitz, Worldview Travel

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    Debra Fini, VWTI

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    Financial Times, How to Spend it

  • "It was, without doubt, one of the most spectacular weekends I have ever had"

    Country Life

  • "David Tobin’s an ace at getting inside private castles and estates and he’s well connected.... "

    Conde Nast Traveller Magazine

  • "The level of service they provide is outstanding. They truly care about every aspect of the trip to ensure you have a fantastic stay. Rosie is a hidden gem of a tour guide. Just fabulous."

    Yvonne Malka, Signature Travel Network, April 2018

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